The Polite Traveler

  My dear polite travelers, Beware, this post is particularly negative.   It is also written when Covid was not an issue. I feel like a dope for falling for the free $100 in Hilton bucks and discount card offered by the Hilton Vacations Club.   The Vacations Club is basically a different name for timeshares.   Our time obligation (to sit numbly through the spiel about how great their plan is and how plainly stupid we would be not to completely buy into it) was supposed to be around 90 minutes.   We sat chained to our chairs being belittled for not wanting to sign up and spend our hard-earned cash for 3 hours!   Yes, I did say 3 hours.   Incredible.   I was beginning to feel trapped and wanted to claw my way out of the little room, beginning with the painted-smile lady .   So, here’s my advice for what it is worth, avoid anything that has to do with that part of the Hilton organization.   I love Hilton but this branch of it......

  My dear polite travelers, We have just returned from a very enlightening and enjoyable Italian holiday.  The focus of the trip was in part research (manners, etiquette , and mobility challenged travel-related) and in part just plain soaking up the culture.  Fun.  Most easily, we found our fun and interaction with others.  However, the research and soaking up the culture of the locals was the difficult part of the equation.  Tourist Overload I suppose we set ourselves up for this difficulty due to our choices of location.  As a teacher, I felt compelled to visit a few of the best-known art and architecture/historical centers: Siena, Florence, and Venice (skipped Rome this visit).  These cities are not only drenched in art and history but they are also overrun with tourists.  So, mostly we found ourselves surrounded by those either not from Italy or those truly tired of intruders.  We have all heard of the ugly Americans, those w...

  Our manners are the most important accessory to pack when vacationing in a foreign country.  The people of each country view protocol, etiquette, and manners differently.  Just consider our presidents’ trips to Europe and all the different protocols each was required to learn and then exhibit.  This is something all of us should consider as we venture out beyond our borders.  Dress and Behave for the Region For example, if vacationing in Italy, plan to dress and behave more formally than here in the US.  Italians firmly believe in a term called, “bella figura,” which literally means beautiful figure.  Culturally, Italians believe in behaving with a sense of decorum and formality and this term reflects this belief.  This is a natural extension from loyalty to family , friends, and the community, especially in the south.   One should always try to present oneself in the best manner; one’s actions should at least appear virtuous. ...

  My dear polite travelers, In some countries, it is considered impolite to tip.  In some, Americans are viewed as rude or pretentious because we over-tip.  So, here are some guidelines that appear to be a ‘general rule’.  Still, it is best to ask the hotel staff where you are staying.  Just like in the U.S., there are regional differences.   Australia —Not expected       Dining: 10%          Porters: $2 per bag        Taxi: Round to the next dollar China —Most don’t expect a tip        Dining 10-15% in large cities  Porters $2-3         Taxi None Britain— Not always necessary, but appreciated          Dining: 10% if not added to the bill Porters: £ 2 per bag      ...

Do the French Have Good Manners?  When I mention visiting France, especially Paris, I often receive smirks and comments about French manners, or lack of such.   To comments about the French as rude, off-putting, and aloof, I respond, "Have you ever visited France?"   My experience is always positive.   They are warm, kind, and open.   Therefore, I decided to clear up all these misunderstandings about the French and their manners .   Bonjour means so much more than hello. After interviewing more French than I can count, I've found that they all agree on one point; offering proper greetings is most important with respect to manners.   Simply, proper greetings are the most basic of manners for them.   To visit a store without saying, "Bonjour Madame (or Monsieur)" to the shopkeeper is viewed as extremely poor manners.   Even botching almost every French word we attempt to utter, most French will accept us if we approach them with an ea...

Politeness Matters When Traveling Dear Polite Traveler, One important thing to remember, no matter where we are, is to be conspicuous of how our actions affect others.  Consequently, we should also remember the number one rule of cellphone use: Do not irritate those around you when using your cellphone .  This rule leads to the more specific rule of not talking loudly on your cellphones when with others.  Loud, Chatty, Irritating Contractor Noting that this irritating person is a contractor isn’t important.  Nevertheless, since he mentioned it multiple times during his assault on my calm, I thought it worth noting.   On to the details of this moment of grating clatter. Picture this, I had a five-hour layover in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.  For those of you who have passed through this badly-in-need-of-a-makeover dot on the map, you know how small and li...

How to be a Good Ambassador of Your Country When Traveling Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Traveler, When any of us travels outside our home country, we are ambassadors of ours.  Consequently, it is no wonder why the Chinese government was outraged over the behavior of some of their vacationing citizens.  Reports of defacing relics, spitting, and yelling in public, is definitely cringe-worthy.  All these impolite behaviors have even led to new tourism laws in China.  Given that the Chinese are not the only ill-mannered tourist, let us explore proper vacation etiquette.   Note : Follow country guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.   Also, during the pandemic, some amenities may not be available.  Please remember, this is only temporary. Study the culture; know before you go! To capture the nuances, blend in and avoid insulting the locals, it is essential to do your homework by studying...

Poor Behavior by Rude Passengers on the Coral Princess Panama Canal Cruise Revised 4/2021 Dear Polite Travelers, Surprise!  We’re talking civility here.  Who would have thought?  Sure, most of us consider ourselves polite, civil people who treat others kindly.  Then why do many of us cringe when observing the behavior of fellow cruisers?  Simple answer: many travelers have unrealistic high expectations that are bound to result in poor behavior toward those attempting to please us.  This is especially true with cruisers.  Note : Follow CDC guidelines when visiting.  Always wear your face mask when in public.    What?  Rude Passengers? Okay, so here’s a scenario I observed.  My travel partner hubby and I were sitting at the Explorer’s Lounge Bar—tiny and intimate—enjoying a wonderful conversation with the bartender and a couple of servers.  With one of the servers, I became more familiar with and found that ...